'Grazie, rappresentante'

State Rep. Christine Watkins accepts a certificate of appreciation from Stella d'America president Charles Hamilton during the organization's luncheon Sunday. The group was saying thanks for Watkins' work in sponsoring and promoting the legislation that declared October as Utah's Italian-American month in perpetuity. It was an exchange of gifts, because Watkins gave the Italian Lodge the printed bill and an earlier legislative concurrent resolution for the commemorative month. The representative said she got welcome support from legislators, including Senate President Michael Waddoups, who served an LDS mission in Italy and speaks the language fluently. She also said she learned much about Italian contributions to Utah - and a lot about where to buy Italian products in the state. Stella d'America (Star of America) is among the oldest civic and social groups in Carbon County, having been organized in Castle Gate in 1898 by Italian immigrants.